OLYMPIA, Wash. – A Grays Harbor County resident has died from complications related to H5N5 avian influenza, as confirmed by the Washington State Department of Health. The individual was an older adult with underlying health conditions and had been hospitalized in King County since early November.
Testing conducted by the UW Medicine Clinical Virology Lab identified the virus as H5N5. This marks the first recorded infection of this variant in a person globally, confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Despite this case, the risk to the public remains low. Public health officials are monitoring those who had close contact with the patient to ensure there is no human-to-human transmission. There is no evidence of the virus spreading between people.
The individual had a backyard flock of mixed domestic birds. Sampling identified avian influenza virus in the flock’s environment. Exposure to these birds or their environment is considered the likely source of infection.
Avian influenza is caused by influenza type A viruses, which occur naturally in wild aquatic birds globally. These viruses can infect other bird species and occasionally mammals, posing a threat to domestic birds like chickens and turkeys.
People with backyard poultry are advised to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and report any illness in poultry to the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Sick or dead wild birds should be reported to the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Health officials emphasize the importance of getting a seasonal flu vaccine, especially for those who may be exposed to domestic or wild birds. Although it won’t prevent bird flu, it reduces the risk of concurrent infections with human and avian influenza viruses.
